RIVER FOREST YOUTH BASEBALL & SOFTBALL BOYS MAJORS ...
RIVER FOREST YOUTH BASEBALL & SOFTBALL BOYS MAJORS DIVISION HOUSE RULES AND REGULATIONS – 2017 The current "Official Playing Rules and Regulations" as published by Little League Baseball, Inc., shall be binding on this League. The following clarifications, additions, and restrictions will be known as the "House Rules & Regulations" and will supersede Little League Baseball, Inc. Rules. The House Rules and Regulations will be reviewed annually by the Board of Directors for possible amendments. Once distributed to the League Officials, Umpire Association, and Team Managers, they will be binding for the entire regular and playoff seasons unless amended and redistributed by the Board of Directors. The Division Coordinator (“DC”) is charged with the responsibility of implementing and enforcing League Rules and will consequently arbitrate any dispute which may arise and any decision made by him or her will be official and binding. PRE-GAME GENERAL 1. All players in this division must be 5th, 6th, & Little League 12 year old eligible 7th graders to participate in league play. Players will be removed from any team in violation of this rule. 2. FORFEITURE OF GAME - A team will forfeit a game if they cannot field nine (9) players within fifteen (15) minutes of the scheduled starting time of the game In addition, as per Little League Rule 4.17, a game may not be continued with less than nine (9) players on either team and thus will result in a forfeited game. To avoid a forfeit, including to field a team with 10 players so as to avoid the risk of a forfeit, a Team Manager may contact an approved player of the Boys Minor Division that is eligible to play-up to the Boys Major Division for this replacement purpose. A list of approved players will be given to each Head Coach by your Division Coordinator. This procedure is subject to the following conditions: A. The replacement player cannot play the pitching or catching position. B. The replacement player cannot play the infield more innings than any regular team member plays the infield. C. The replacement player is ineligible if playing-up, in any way whatsoever, by choice or not, prevents them from playing at any time within their regular Division. D. The replacement player is not allowed to play defensively in any game for longer than any regular player on the team. E. The replacement player is required to bat last in the batting rotation. F. A replacement player is to wear the uniform of their regular team to identify themselves on the field as a replacement player.
G. A replacement player may only be utilized with their parent's permission for a total of 6 times per season. A team can use the same replacement player a maximum of 2 times per season. It is the Managers responsibility to email the DC and identify which replacement player they used for each game. DC’s will email coaches the name of a player who has reached his maximum number of call-ups. During the Playoffs, the Division Coordinator and/or League President must approve all Call-ups. In case of a forfeit, the Managers/Coaches are encouraged to arrange a mutually agreeable format to allow an unofficial game to take place, and to take the opportunity to make fielding position changes to allow the participation of players at positions other than those they usually play. 3. PLAYER UNABLE TO CONTNUE – If for any reason a player cannot continue in a game once that game has officially started, there will be an automatic out in his spot in the lineup for the remainder of the game. This includes a batter that cannot finish an at-bat. One exception to this will be allowed. If both coaches agree that the player has been injured during the game, then his spot in the batting order will be skipped for the remainder of the game without an automatic out. If the injury occurs during an at-bat and the player cannot finish his at-bat, an out will be recorded only for that at-bat. 4. RESCHEDULING OF GAMES – Games may be rescheduled only because of inclement weather or major school functions. Any violation of this rule will result in a loss for that game. Conflicts for players with other individual events, is not grounds for rescheduling. 5. EQUIPMENT – The home team will bring to each game two (2) new Little League type baseballs provided to them by the League for this purpose. The baseballs will be given to the umpire prior to the game. After the game, the balls shall become the property of the home team. For safety reasons, only Little League baseballs can be used. 6. UNIFORMS – Uniforms consist of baseball cap, shirt, baseball pants, stockings and shoes. In the event a player cannot wear baseball pants for any reason, a pair of full length trousers must be worn. Shorts will not be allowed. Metal spikes are prohibited. A protective cup for use by all is encouraged, but use by catchers while catching is mandatory. All players on the field must wear their team hats at all times. Team shirttails must be tucked inside trousers. League furnished protective headgear must be worn while batting and base running. Casts may not be worn during the game. Persons wearing casts, including Managers & Coaches, must remain in the dugout during the game. Further, pitchers cannot wear white or light colored long sleeves under their uniforms. 7. COACHING STAFF – Before the game, each team will designate to the umpire and opposing coaches its coaches and scorekeeper. A maximum total of three (3) coaches are allowed on the field and in the dugout during the course of the game. 1. When your team is batting, there is to be one adult coach coaching one base and the remaining base must be coached by a player or coach. Those coaches are to remain in their designated coaching box while on the field of play. If a player, they must wear League furnished protective headgear. The other coach and scorekeeper must remain in the dugout/bench. 2. When your team is out on the field, all coaches will remain in the dugout/bench.
3. The home team is to occupy the third base dugout/bench. 8. Batting orders are to be exchanged in writing between both head coaches prior to the start of the game. They will also validate the pitch count reports, including each team’s previous game and results. If a player arrives after the start of the game, they shall be inserted in the line-up as the last hitter. No player can be inserted in the lineup once the first batter has batted for the second time. GAME PLAY – PITCHING 9. The following Little League Rule is in effect:
If a player pitches 66 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must be observed. If a player pitches 51 - 65 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed. If a player pitches 36 - 50 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed. If a player pitches 21 - 35 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar days of rest must be observed. If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required.
A player that crosses a threshold while facing a batter shall have his pitch count revert back to the threshold if he is removed from the game prior to pitching to the next batter. Under no circumstances, can a pitcher pitch in more than one (1) game in a day. 10. A player can pitch no more than 3 innings in a game. Pitching any part of any inning will count as pitching the entire inning. If a game goes into extra innings, a pitcher may pitch one additional inning (for a maximum total of 4 innings) subject to compliance with the pitch count limit stated in rule 10. 11. No pitcher may pitch more than 85 pitches in any one game, including games that go into extra innings. 12. If a game goes into extra innings, a player who has already pitched less than 85 pitches in the game may pitch one additional inning provided that player has not reached the pitch count limit. Under no circumstances may a player exceed the pitch count limit.. 13. Intentional walks are not allowed because they detract from a program which encourages that the game's outcome be determined by the efforts of the players on the field. Umpires are instructed to call "no pitch" whenever they determine a pitch is made intentionally unhittable. 14. A removed pitcher is not allowed to return to the pitching position in that game unless game goes into extra innings (See Paragraph 11 above). 15. A coach may warm up a pitcher both between innings on the field and at any time in the bullpen. For the sake of speedy play, coaches are encouraged to keep on-field warm-up to a minimum.
16. If a pitcher hits three batters during a game, they must be removed from the pitching position. 17. The Manager/Coach must replace the pitcher on a second visit to the mound in any one (1) inning. 18. There is no penalty for a balk in this Division. Umpires and coaches are encouraged to identify balks however, and instruct the players as to what constitutes a balk and of the official ramifications. 19. A pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day. 20. After each half inning of play, opposing Managers will validate the pitch count. This is the Manager’s responsibility and at no time is it that of the umpire’s. GAME PLAY – BATTING 21. This League will use the continuous batting rule. All players who come to a game will be placed in the batting rotation and bat in that order even if they have not yet played the field. 22. Only bats marked with “BPF 1.15” or less and are 33 inches in length or less, and 2¼ inches in diameter will be permitted to be used for league play. Further, only composite bats that have received a waiver from Little League Baseball’s current moratorium will be permitted to be used for league play. Bats receiving a waiver are listed at: http://www.littleleague.org/learn/equipment/approvedcompbatssmall.htm. In order to enforce this rule, prior to the start of the game, teams will be required to make all of their bats available for inspection by the umpire. 23. The first time a batter throws their bat in a game, they will be called out. Prior to each game, the umpire is encouraged to warn both benches of the thrown bat policy. Failure of the umpire to do so will not, however, absolve anyone from this rule. The first time a batter throws their bat in a game, they will be called out. 24. Batting warm-up is allowed only in the predetermined on-deck area. Violators are subject to ejection from the game. 25. Slash bunts will not be allowed. If in the umpire’s judgment a player attempts a slash bunt, such player will be called out. A slash bunt is a half or full swing after the player assumes a bunting stance (either squatting or pivoting). GAME PLAY – DEFENSE 26. Each team will use nine (9) players in the field. Three (3) players will be used as outfielders and be designated as left, center and right fielders. Mandatory infield/outfield requirements have been removed. 27. Each game shall be anticipated to last six (6) full innings. No player who arrives at the start of the game shall sit on the bench during defensive halves of an inning for a
second time until all other players have sat once as well. A player must sit for all three outs in a defensive half to be considered to have sat out for that half. If a game extends into extra innings, no player who had arrived at the start of the game shall sit on the bench for a third defensive half until all other players have sat twice. The same shall hold true for sitting a fourth, fifth, and sixth defensive half. It is the head coach's respon- sibility to keep track of the number of innings a player has been in the field or on the bench. 28. Position changes are not allowed in an inning except when a pitcher or injured player is being removed. 29. Failure to adhere to these participation/rotation rules will result in forfeit. The burden of monitoring adherence is on the coaches, not the umpire. Since a forfeit is not a desirable outcome, coaches are encouraged to discuss questions of adherence prior to the start of the 5th inning so that such situations can be remedied. GAME PLAY - SLAUGHTER RULE 30. A team may score a maximum of eight (8) runs in an inning. If a team has scored seven (7) runs in an inning and has one person on base, a "home run" shall only be deemed to score the one run that takes the inning total up to eight (8). 31. If at anytime after the end of any inning, one team is ahead by enough runs such that under no circumstances could the other team win, the coaches will determine whether or not the game should continue. It is recommended in this situation that the opposing coaches agree to the official conclusion of the game and agree to unofficially continue the game, making fielding position changes, to allow the participation of players at positions other than those they usually play. GAME PLAY - TIME RULE 32. All games that have an immediately following game or league scheduled practice on the same field will have a two (2) hour time limit. At that point, the game situation will be treated as if it had rained at that point. Please refer to the official rules for how to deal with the myriad of possibilities in that situation. GAME PLAY - BASE RUNNING 33. No leadoffs are allowed. A team will be given a warning if a player leaves the base before the ball crosses home plate. After that, the runner will be called out. Clarification: A runner who wishes to steal a base on a pitched ball, wild pitch, or passed ball must commence his attempt by running towards the next base no later than the ball crossing the plate or the catcher, as the case may be. A runner taking a "lead" off a base following a pitch (including a runner "inching" off the base) has not commenced a steal attempt and must return to the base he occupied upon the catcher returning the ball to the pitcher. Similarly, a runner who wishes to attempt to steal a base on an errant throw from the catcher back to the pitcher, must commence his attempt by running towards the next base no later than the ball passing the pitcher or another infielder, as the case may be. A runner taking a "lead" off a base following an errant return throw from the catcher (including a runner "inching" off the base) has not commenced a steal attempt and must return to the base he occupied upon a fielder returning the ball to the pitcher. A fake attempt by the catcher, or any other fielder, to throw out a runner is considered a live play and runners may
advance at their peril until the ball is returned to the pitcher. 34. No delayed steals. If position player makes play on base runner then it is a live play (e.g. catcher throws behind the runner in attempt to “pick off” base runner or makes a fake throw). 35. No runner may leave his base until the ball has crossed the plate or has been struck by the batter. See Little League Baseball Rule 7.13 for the ramifications of leaving early. 36. Stealing of any base, including home plate, is allowed. If a pitcher has possession of the ball within the pitcher's circle and is not making a play (a fake throw is a play), runners not in contact with a base must immediately attempt to advance or return to their base. 37. A walk is a live ball play. The walked batter may continue around the bases only if done so without hesitation upon rounding first base. Except in the event of a passed ball or wild pitch, runners on other bases may also advance only if the walked batter advances. 38. The dropped third strike provision does not apply. On a dropped third strike, the batter is out. 39. A base runner must slide to avoid contact at all bases, except 1st base, if there is a legitimate attempt to tag the runner at that base. If any runner interferes, blocks, butts or bowls over a defensive player in the attempt to make them miss or dislodge the ball, the umpire will call the runner out. Relative to other defensive players not involved in the play, the base path belongs to the runner. 40. For the sake of speedy play, a Manager must substitute a runner for a catcher presently in a game if there are two (2) outs so the catcher can put on their gear. The substitute runner will be the player who made the last out. GAME PLAY - GROUND RULES 41. For safety purposes, the league may be using dual first base bags, a white bag in fair territory and an orange bag in foul territory. The batter may step on either base during their at bat. A fielder may only use the white bag for defensive purposes. Once the batter becomes a runner on first base (single, walk, error, hbp, etc…), they may only use the white bag. 42. OVERTHROWS -- Thrown balls off the fences and backstops are in play. If the ball crosses the "extended line of the fence", it is a dead ball and the runner shall be entitled to the base he is going to plus an additional base, if the umpire deems it so. The "extended line of the fence" applies to the fence immediately in front of or behind the player's bench, whichever extends further toward the outfield. In the case of a trapped ball under a fence, etc…, the umpire will declare a "dead ball" and award bases to runners as he determines appropriate. GAME PLAY – SPORTSMANSHIP 43. DISCIPLINE RULE – The coaches will be responsible for the conduct of their players, parents and fans. Loss of control will result in forfeiture of the game to be determined by the umpire.
A. A player who throws a punch or inappropriately touches another player will be ejected from that game and receive an additional one (1) game suspension for the next game. B. Any second offense by the same player may result in suspension for the remainder of the season 44. No coach shall, at any time, incite a demonstration by spectators. 45. No coach will use foul language toward players, coaches, umpires or spectators. 46. No coach may threaten an umpire, player, coach or spectator. 47. Coaches who are ejected from a game must leave the field immediately, including not sitting in the stands. A consultation with the Board of Directors or their designee will be required prior to the ejected coach returning to his/her coaching responsibilities. Mandatory one game suspension is required by Little League rules. 48. Any coach, who is ejected more than once during the season, will be immediately suspended for the remainder of the season. GAME PLAY – PROTESTS 49. Protests shall be made in accordance with the criteria established in the most current edition of "Little League Baseball - Official Regulations and Playing Rules" subject to the following clarifications. 50. To protest a game, a Manager/Coach must notify the umpire and the opposing coach before the next pitch. 51. A following written protest of a game must be submitted in writing to the DC within 24 hours of the game. Please Note: The judgement of an umpire is never grounds for a protest. The DC will issue a binding decision within 72 hours of their receipt of the written protest. POST GAME ACTIVITY 52. It is the responsibility of both coaches to notify the Pitch Count Coordinator of the results of the game and pitch counts for each team within 24 hours of its conclusion. The pitch counts and innings pitched for each player will be recorded in the “Pitch Count Report” and submitted to the Pitch Count Coordinator via email ASAP. Each manager will bring a copy of their teams’ up-to-date “Pitch Count Report” to each of their games to share with the opposing manager. (The up-to- date results will be posted on RFYBSB.org) Penalty – if a coach has erred and a pitch count violation has occurred, he/she will be given one warning, a second occurrence will result in a forfeiture of the subject game. There will be no warning in the playoffs, the violating team will forfeit their game. 53. For tie-breakers in the Division standings, ties will be broken by comparing headto-head records, and if still tied, by total runs allowed for the entire regular season.
G. A replacement player may only be utilized with their parent's permission for a total of 6 times per season. A team can use the same replacement player a maximum of 2 times per season. It is the Managers responsibility to email the DC and identify which replacement player they used for each game. DC’s will email coaches the name of a player who has reached his maximum number of call-ups. During the Playoffs, the Division Coordinator and/or League President must approve all Call-ups. In case of a forfeit, the Managers/Coaches are encouraged to arrange a mutually agreeable format to allow an unofficial game to take place, and to take the opportunity to make fielding position changes to allow the participation of players at positions other than those they usually play. 3. PLAYER UNABLE TO CONTNUE – If for any reason a player cannot continue in a game once that game has officially started, there will be an automatic out in his spot in the lineup for the remainder of the game. This includes a batter that cannot finish an at-bat. One exception to this will be allowed. If both coaches agree that the player has been injured during the game, then his spot in the batting order will be skipped for the remainder of the game without an automatic out. If the injury occurs during an at-bat and the player cannot finish his at-bat, an out will be recorded only for that at-bat. 4. RESCHEDULING OF GAMES – Games may be rescheduled only because of inclement weather or major school functions. Any violation of this rule will result in a loss for that game. Conflicts for players with other individual events, is not grounds for rescheduling. 5. EQUIPMENT – The home team will bring to each game two (2) new Little League type baseballs provided to them by the League for this purpose. The baseballs will be given to the umpire prior to the game. After the game, the balls shall become the property of the home team. For safety reasons, only Little League baseballs can be used. 6. UNIFORMS – Uniforms consist of baseball cap, shirt, baseball pants, stockings and shoes. In the event a player cannot wear baseball pants for any reason, a pair of full length trousers must be worn. Shorts will not be allowed. Metal spikes are prohibited. A protective cup for use by all is encouraged, but use by catchers while catching is mandatory. All players on the field must wear their team hats at all times. Team shirttails must be tucked inside trousers. League furnished protective headgear must be worn while batting and base running. Casts may not be worn during the game. Persons wearing casts, including Managers & Coaches, must remain in the dugout during the game. Further, pitchers cannot wear white or light colored long sleeves under their uniforms. 7. COACHING STAFF – Before the game, each team will designate to the umpire and opposing coaches its coaches and scorekeeper. A maximum total of three (3) coaches are allowed on the field and in the dugout during the course of the game. 1. When your team is batting, there is to be one adult coach coaching one base and the remaining base must be coached by a player or coach. Those coaches are to remain in their designated coaching box while on the field of play. If a player, they must wear League furnished protective headgear. The other coach and scorekeeper must remain in the dugout/bench. 2. When your team is out on the field, all coaches will remain in the dugout/bench.
3. The home team is to occupy the third base dugout/bench. 8. Batting orders are to be exchanged in writing between both head coaches prior to the start of the game. They will also validate the pitch count reports, including each team’s previous game and results. If a player arrives after the start of the game, they shall be inserted in the line-up as the last hitter. No player can be inserted in the lineup once the first batter has batted for the second time. GAME PLAY – PITCHING 9. The following Little League Rule is in effect:
If a player pitches 66 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must be observed. If a player pitches 51 - 65 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed. If a player pitches 36 - 50 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed. If a player pitches 21 - 35 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar days of rest must be observed. If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required.
A player that crosses a threshold while facing a batter shall have his pitch count revert back to the threshold if he is removed from the game prior to pitching to the next batter. Under no circumstances, can a pitcher pitch in more than one (1) game in a day. 10. A player can pitch no more than 3 innings in a game. Pitching any part of any inning will count as pitching the entire inning. If a game goes into extra innings, a pitcher may pitch one additional inning (for a maximum total of 4 innings) subject to compliance with the pitch count limit stated in rule 10. 11. No pitcher may pitch more than 85 pitches in any one game, including games that go into extra innings. 12. If a game goes into extra innings, a player who has already pitched less than 85 pitches in the game may pitch one additional inning provided that player has not reached the pitch count limit. Under no circumstances may a player exceed the pitch count limit.. 13. Intentional walks are not allowed because they detract from a program which encourages that the game's outcome be determined by the efforts of the players on the field. Umpires are instructed to call "no pitch" whenever they determine a pitch is made intentionally unhittable. 14. A removed pitcher is not allowed to return to the pitching position in that game unless game goes into extra innings (See Paragraph 11 above). 15. A coach may warm up a pitcher both between innings on the field and at any time in the bullpen. For the sake of speedy play, coaches are encouraged to keep on-field warm-up to a minimum.
16. If a pitcher hits three batters during a game, they must be removed from the pitching position. 17. The Manager/Coach must replace the pitcher on a second visit to the mound in any one (1) inning. 18. There is no penalty for a balk in this Division. Umpires and coaches are encouraged to identify balks however, and instruct the players as to what constitutes a balk and of the official ramifications. 19. A pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day. 20. After each half inning of play, opposing Managers will validate the pitch count. This is the Manager’s responsibility and at no time is it that of the umpire’s. GAME PLAY – BATTING 21. This League will use the continuous batting rule. All players who come to a game will be placed in the batting rotation and bat in that order even if they have not yet played the field. 22. Only bats marked with “BPF 1.15” or less and are 33 inches in length or less, and 2¼ inches in diameter will be permitted to be used for league play. Further, only composite bats that have received a waiver from Little League Baseball’s current moratorium will be permitted to be used for league play. Bats receiving a waiver are listed at: http://www.littleleague.org/learn/equipment/approvedcompbatssmall.htm. In order to enforce this rule, prior to the start of the game, teams will be required to make all of their bats available for inspection by the umpire. 23. The first time a batter throws their bat in a game, they will be called out. Prior to each game, the umpire is encouraged to warn both benches of the thrown bat policy. Failure of the umpire to do so will not, however, absolve anyone from this rule. The first time a batter throws their bat in a game, they will be called out. 24. Batting warm-up is allowed only in the predetermined on-deck area. Violators are subject to ejection from the game. 25. Slash bunts will not be allowed. If in the umpire’s judgment a player attempts a slash bunt, such player will be called out. A slash bunt is a half or full swing after the player assumes a bunting stance (either squatting or pivoting). GAME PLAY – DEFENSE 26. Each team will use nine (9) players in the field. Three (3) players will be used as outfielders and be designated as left, center and right fielders. Mandatory infield/outfield requirements have been removed. 27. Each game shall be anticipated to last six (6) full innings. No player who arrives at the start of the game shall sit on the bench during defensive halves of an inning for a
second time until all other players have sat once as well. A player must sit for all three outs in a defensive half to be considered to have sat out for that half. If a game extends into extra innings, no player who had arrived at the start of the game shall sit on the bench for a third defensive half until all other players have sat twice. The same shall hold true for sitting a fourth, fifth, and sixth defensive half. It is the head coach's respon- sibility to keep track of the number of innings a player has been in the field or on the bench. 28. Position changes are not allowed in an inning except when a pitcher or injured player is being removed. 29. Failure to adhere to these participation/rotation rules will result in forfeit. The burden of monitoring adherence is on the coaches, not the umpire. Since a forfeit is not a desirable outcome, coaches are encouraged to discuss questions of adherence prior to the start of the 5th inning so that such situations can be remedied. GAME PLAY - SLAUGHTER RULE 30. A team may score a maximum of eight (8) runs in an inning. If a team has scored seven (7) runs in an inning and has one person on base, a "home run" shall only be deemed to score the one run that takes the inning total up to eight (8). 31. If at anytime after the end of any inning, one team is ahead by enough runs such that under no circumstances could the other team win, the coaches will determine whether or not the game should continue. It is recommended in this situation that the opposing coaches agree to the official conclusion of the game and agree to unofficially continue the game, making fielding position changes, to allow the participation of players at positions other than those they usually play. GAME PLAY - TIME RULE 32. All games that have an immediately following game or league scheduled practice on the same field will have a two (2) hour time limit. At that point, the game situation will be treated as if it had rained at that point. Please refer to the official rules for how to deal with the myriad of possibilities in that situation. GAME PLAY - BASE RUNNING 33. No leadoffs are allowed. A team will be given a warning if a player leaves the base before the ball crosses home plate. After that, the runner will be called out. Clarification: A runner who wishes to steal a base on a pitched ball, wild pitch, or passed ball must commence his attempt by running towards the next base no later than the ball crossing the plate or the catcher, as the case may be. A runner taking a "lead" off a base following a pitch (including a runner "inching" off the base) has not commenced a steal attempt and must return to the base he occupied upon the catcher returning the ball to the pitcher. Similarly, a runner who wishes to attempt to steal a base on an errant throw from the catcher back to the pitcher, must commence his attempt by running towards the next base no later than the ball passing the pitcher or another infielder, as the case may be. A runner taking a "lead" off a base following an errant return throw from the catcher (including a runner "inching" off the base) has not commenced a steal attempt and must return to the base he occupied upon a fielder returning the ball to the pitcher. A fake attempt by the catcher, or any other fielder, to throw out a runner is considered a live play and runners may
advance at their peril until the ball is returned to the pitcher. 34. No delayed steals. If position player makes play on base runner then it is a live play (e.g. catcher throws behind the runner in attempt to “pick off” base runner or makes a fake throw). 35. No runner may leave his base until the ball has crossed the plate or has been struck by the batter. See Little League Baseball Rule 7.13 for the ramifications of leaving early. 36. Stealing of any base, including home plate, is allowed. If a pitcher has possession of the ball within the pitcher's circle and is not making a play (a fake throw is a play), runners not in contact with a base must immediately attempt to advance or return to their base. 37. A walk is a live ball play. The walked batter may continue around the bases only if done so without hesitation upon rounding first base. Except in the event of a passed ball or wild pitch, runners on other bases may also advance only if the walked batter advances. 38. The dropped third strike provision does not apply. On a dropped third strike, the batter is out. 39. A base runner must slide to avoid contact at all bases, except 1st base, if there is a legitimate attempt to tag the runner at that base. If any runner interferes, blocks, butts or bowls over a defensive player in the attempt to make them miss or dislodge the ball, the umpire will call the runner out. Relative to other defensive players not involved in the play, the base path belongs to the runner. 40. For the sake of speedy play, a Manager must substitute a runner for a catcher presently in a game if there are two (2) outs so the catcher can put on their gear. The substitute runner will be the player who made the last out. GAME PLAY - GROUND RULES 41. For safety purposes, the league may be using dual first base bags, a white bag in fair territory and an orange bag in foul territory. The batter may step on either base during their at bat. A fielder may only use the white bag for defensive purposes. Once the batter becomes a runner on first base (single, walk, error, hbp, etc…), they may only use the white bag. 42. OVERTHROWS -- Thrown balls off the fences and backstops are in play. If the ball crosses the "extended line of the fence", it is a dead ball and the runner shall be entitled to the base he is going to plus an additional base, if the umpire deems it so. The "extended line of the fence" applies to the fence immediately in front of or behind the player's bench, whichever extends further toward the outfield. In the case of a trapped ball under a fence, etc…, the umpire will declare a "dead ball" and award bases to runners as he determines appropriate. GAME PLAY – SPORTSMANSHIP 43. DISCIPLINE RULE – The coaches will be responsible for the conduct of their players, parents and fans. Loss of control will result in forfeiture of the game to be determined by the umpire.
A. A player who throws a punch or inappropriately touches another player will be ejected from that game and receive an additional one (1) game suspension for the next game. B. Any second offense by the same player may result in suspension for the remainder of the season 44. No coach shall, at any time, incite a demonstration by spectators. 45. No coach will use foul language toward players, coaches, umpires or spectators. 46. No coach may threaten an umpire, player, coach or spectator. 47. Coaches who are ejected from a game must leave the field immediately, including not sitting in the stands. A consultation with the Board of Directors or their designee will be required prior to the ejected coach returning to his/her coaching responsibilities. Mandatory one game suspension is required by Little League rules. 48. Any coach, who is ejected more than once during the season, will be immediately suspended for the remainder of the season. GAME PLAY – PROTESTS 49. Protests shall be made in accordance with the criteria established in the most current edition of "Little League Baseball - Official Regulations and Playing Rules" subject to the following clarifications. 50. To protest a game, a Manager/Coach must notify the umpire and the opposing coach before the next pitch. 51. A following written protest of a game must be submitted in writing to the DC within 24 hours of the game. Please Note: The judgement of an umpire is never grounds for a protest. The DC will issue a binding decision within 72 hours of their receipt of the written protest. POST GAME ACTIVITY 52. It is the responsibility of both coaches to notify the Pitch Count Coordinator of the results of the game and pitch counts for each team within 24 hours of its conclusion. The pitch counts and innings pitched for each player will be recorded in the “Pitch Count Report” and submitted to the Pitch Count Coordinator via email ASAP. Each manager will bring a copy of their teams’ up-to-date “Pitch Count Report” to each of their games to share with the opposing manager. (The up-to- date results will be posted on RFYBSB.org) Penalty – if a coach has erred and a pitch count violation has occurred, he/she will be given one warning, a second occurrence will result in a forfeiture of the subject game. There will be no warning in the playoffs, the violating team will forfeit their game. 53. For tie-breakers in the Division standings, ties will be broken by comparing headto-head records, and if still tied, by total runs allowed for the entire regular season.
